The Media and Political Process examines the increasingly topical subject of the political process and assesses: The nature of the relationship between mass media and the political process The impact of media-ization on existing political frameworks The implications of media-ized politics Eric Louw uses a number of case-studies including political, celebrity, war and terrorism to provide a media studies perspective on how media workers (journalists, public affairs officers, spin-doctors) impact upon the political process. The book also considers the media's role in promoting a range of twentieth century ideologies and emerging dominant discourses.

Table of Contents

Introduction PART ONE: AN INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PROCESSES AND THE MASS MEDIA Politics Image Versus Substance Western Political Development An Evolving Symbiosis of Media and Politics Political Media Practice An Outline PART TWO: IDENTITY, POLITICS AND THE MEDIA National Identity and Communication New Media New Politics? New Identity? PART THREE: THE MEDIA-IZATION OF POLITICS Spin-doctoring The Art of Political Public Relations Selling Politicians and Creating Celebrity Selling Political Policies and Beliefs Selling War/Selling Peace The Media and Terrorism The Media and Foreign Relations Conclusion Searching for Answers (and Questions)